Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, aspired to the Catholic priesthood from an early age. In this engaging biography, journalist Christina Boyle recounts Dolan's early life, focusing on his service as a bishop in St. Louis and Archbishop of Milwaukee during a period fraught with sexual abuse scandals. She concludes with a review of his tenure since 2009 as Cardinal Archbishop of New York and discusses speculations that he could be elected Pope. An American Cardinal, called an "introductory look at a media-visible priest" (Booklist), portrays a down-to-earth, approachable man whose primary calling is to be a pastor.

In The Future of God, bestselling author Deepak Chopra explains why he passionately disagrees with contemporary atheists -- especially biologist Richard Dawkins -- who proclaim that God is a myth and religion is irrelevant in the modern world. Taking Dawkins' assertions as his starting point, Chopra builds an easy-to-follow logical pathway to faith that identifies the errors in both atheist and fundamentalist positions while affirming the truths found in both science and religion. Those who find neither atheism nor absolutist religious dogma satisfying will find Chopra's discussion thought-provoking.

Jose Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, has attracted attention since his election because of his devotion to the poor and his willingness to shake things up within the traditional Catholic hierarchy. In The Great Reformer, Catholic journalist Austen Ivereigh provides a detailed account of the Pope's family background, the Second Vatican Council's influence on him as a young priest, and the significance of his Jesuit spiritual training. Ivereigh concludes that Francis' vision for the Church will bring about significant innovation. Publishers Weekly calls this "the best examination of the current pope to date."

Bestselling Christian author Eric Metaxas tackles the often controversial question of miracles in this engaging and thought-provoking book. In his thorough consideration of the definition of miracles and historical and traditional teachings about them, he argues that miracles are real. He then provides numerous examples of reported miracles, organized by category. These accounts come only from people Metaxas knows personally -- he omits historical or rumored examples. This clear, accessible book may prompt "even the scoffer to wonder," says Kirkus Reviews.

In America's Pastor, religious historian Grant Wacker emphasizes Billy Graham's approachable personality and sermon delivery while detailing how his evangelical movement capitalized on American cultural trends. Individuals who had only seen him on television felt they knew him, and he addressed issues that affected millions of people, convincing listeners that he was intimately acquainted with their struggles. Wacker concludes that these qualities weren't just an act: Graham practiced what he preached. For another recent look at Graham, read Jake Hanson's Igniting the Fire, which more specifically recounts the evangelist's life story.

Mary Beth Chapman is married to award-winning singer and songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman, a mother of six, and co-founder of an organization that promotes international adoptions. In this heartwrenching and heartwarming memoir, she relates how she experienced a nearly unimaginable loss at a time in her life when everything seemed to be going right. Choosing to See candidly portrays her devastation, but her more important message is how her Christian faith has helped her recover her sense of purpose in life. This inspiring book explains how the Chapmans maintain their belief in God's love one moment at a time.

After she graduated from high school, Tennessee teenager Katie Davis didn't pack for college like many of her peers -- she headed to Uganda to teach kindergarten. Though her family and friends didn't understand, Katie felt called by God to help the people she had met on a short trip there. Not long after arriving, she adopted the first of many homeless girls, eventually establishing a ministry, Amazima, that cares for hundreds more. Though Christian readers will surely be inspired by Kisses from Katie, others may also be motivated to "follow the stirrings of their own hearts" (Kirkus Reviews).

In 2008, Mormon homemaker Stephanie Nielson and her husband survived a fiery plane crash. Both sustained serious burns; hers kept her in a coma for four months, left disfiguring scars, and required a long period of recovery. Nielson's formerly tranquil life became a series of painful treatments and a wildly swinging emotional ride. In Heaven Is Here, she recounts her ordeal and details the support and encouragement she received from her extended family and even total strangers. With the help of their faith and her own, she gradually found new joy in her life as she adjusted to living with her disfigurement.

The Prophet Muhammad inspired a great international religious movement; nearly 25% of the world's population are Muslims. Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan's In the Footsteps of the Prophet offers an accessible and informative biography of Muhammad that connects his spiritual and ethical principles to significant events in his life. Emphasizing how the Prophet's profound consciousness of God inspired him to love his followers, Ramadan also illustrates Muhammad's compassion towards everyone, offering moving examples of his kindness towards slaves, animals, and prisoners of war. This thoughtful profile will draw readers of all faiths into a deeper understanding of Muhammad.

Brigham Young, who was at first skeptical of the gospel proclaimed by Prophet Joseph Smith, eventually embraced his teachings from the Book of Mormon wholeheartedly. Historian John Turner's Brigham Young discusses spiritual influences that helped form Young's faith before he took over leadership of the Mormon community after Smith's death. In this accessible and balanced account, Turner portrays Young's complex, sometimes controversial character while clarifying his lasting influence on the Latter-Day Saints' beliefs and practices. Library Journal says, in a starred review, "there aren't enough superlatives for this book."

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